a surrendered life

  No fair. Woe is me. I didn’t deserve that. My cries of self pity are just as painful as the situation that caused them. They double the pain and invite hopelessness to settle in, just when I need hope most. But I’m learning a profound truth— in Christ I am never a victim and suffering always has a deeper purpose, growing my faith and helping me to be conformed to His image. This is one reason the Lord calls me to lay down my life, to take up my cross and follow Him. Doing this, laying down my life, guards my heart against self pity. Now when some trial happens to me, no matter how weighty, I can say like Christ, “no one takes my life from me, but I lay it down (John 10:18).” How better to reflect His image?  Lord, thank you for Your example of laying down your life. Help me to remember that when I follow this example, I am no longer a victim to anything or anyone. Amen. 

 I want to grow up. I don't want to stay ignorant of the deeper truths of God's word, but I want-- as the writer of Hebrews urges me-- to move from the elementary principles and eat the meat of the word. This  longing gnaws at me, as another, equally powerful desire holds me back. The war within my flesh. I don't pretend to understand how I can possess two opposing and equally powerful desires at once. The contradiction of this is stagnating, almost crippling. I want to grow, but I don't want to be uncomfortable. I want to live for Christ with total abandon of myself, but what does this mean for my future? Fear overwhelms, and I shrink back. Lord, show me how to live, really live for you. 

L ike it or hate it, masks and other protective measures are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. I’ve felt a “stuck in the middle'' attitude towards them with deeply opinionated friends on both sides. Through this I’ve found that there’s thoughtful information and well-meaning believers on both sides of the Covid response. When we take an “us versus them” mentality on such superficial issues, we are divided and inadvertently mask the Gospel-- dear reader, this shouldn’t happen! When we focus on all of the litany of rules and regulations, we're ignoring a burgeoning truth pulsing under the Covid crisis. The gospel doesn't have to be masked! There's no sign saying "No Gospel allowed" (yet!). When Paul was in prison he wrote a letter speaking of rejoicing because even though he was in chains, the gospel was not chained, the word of God was not chained. Now, the entire world fraught with a disease-- or fraught with the response to this disease-

If you’re like me, you grew up expecting to spend ninety percent of your time working outside your home. Home has always been a simple retreat of sorts. Or it was. But now, as the world takes a furlough, perhaps you find yourself needing to make home work. Ten years ago this was me, after having my first child and becoming a stay-at-home mom. I’ve learned several principles over the years that I hope will help you adjust to a new normal. First, let’s clarify that making home work is not working from home--though that can be part of it-- it’s much broader. It involves seeing home as your work, from laundry to cooking there’s some level of organization. Then within that larger structure you have kids to teach, pets to care for, or outside work to accomplish. Where to start? Set an alarm. Plan the night before what time you’re going to wake up and set an alarm. This seems silly-- you don’t have to go anywhere, right?-- but it’s crucial to be intentional about your day. Eve

Throughout the scriptures we see this principle emerging--r emember.  Remember what he's done. Why? Because it's so easy to let the wind and waves, the storms of life, press in and cause us to forget. Too often I'm so busy in the dailiness of life that I forget His provision. Remembering that His grace is sufficient infuses hope into every new trial. Remembering offers a perspective that transcends time and space. Remembering strengthens our faith, proves His word in our lives, and makes us a walking testimony of Him. Christ is the word made flesh-- we are His gospel made flesh; living, walking, breathing reminders to the world that there is redemption. ...remember that at that time you were separate from Christ...  Ephesians 2:12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth... Ecc 12:1 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light Hebrews... 10:32 Remember the word that I said to you... John 15:20 I'm pausing to reflect on my spiritual

"So long self, well it's been fun but I have found Somebody else. So long self, there's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to have to move..."* These lyrics are so true. I can't form an alliance between my selfish nature and Christ's nature formed in me-- no, but this is the beauty of the gospel, how He changes me from inside out. Self battles for control of my mind, my heart, my will... perhaps this why the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength. I'm born into the world loving Self instead. Being born again in Christ means that now there's another nature in me that loves Him and wants to please Him. "But though You're love is in me, it doesn't always win me, when competing with my sin."* How I wish this wasn't true! I wish at the moment of conversion I lived for Him-- every thought, every action. But if that happened, then I wouldn't need Him, I wouldn't dep